SOAR Interns Share Their Experiences

Olivia Ori is from O’Fallon, IL, and is currently a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying molecular and cellular biology.  

“My experience was an amazing learning opportunity that introduced me to incredibly insightful faculty at WashU, alongside the additional interns that I met. I was exposed to many different laboratory techniques that advanced my understanding of the science behind them and gained both academic and professional skills through the experience. 

“I would love to thank everyone that helped me throughout this summer, and I am extremely grateful for this experience!”

Teija Suhas is from Kaneohe, Hawaii and is currently studying here at WashU.

“I loved it!

“I loved getting to spend as much time in the lab as I needed, it’s so different from doing research during the academic year. I felt like I was getting to be independent since I didn’t need to rely on my bench mentor to finish time-sensitive experiments on days and hours when I had to be in class. There really was no better feeling than presenting data to my mentor knowing I had done everything by myself. My bench mentor, Dr. Meei-Hua Lin is a great mentor, she is very sweet and supportive and puts a lot of faith in me and my skills. She allowed me to be very independent but welcomed questions. Dr Jeffrey Miner, the PI for my lab, was also very helpful. He looked over my presentation and gave me a lot of insight into the data I collected and what it meant

“My project was called “Variant Validation for Alport Syndrome”. We had a cohort of patients who showed Alport-like symptoms from whom we derived 13 different variants of unknown significance within the relevant collagen genes. My project centered around using two different assays to determine if these variants were the likely cause of their symptoms, diagnosing them with Alport’s syndrome. I presented my data and an end-of-summer symposium with the rest of the program members and the members of a different program called OGR. The symposium was a great opportunity for me to practice my oral presentation skills, and I attribute an award I recently won in scientific presentation (Presentation Awardee for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from ABRCMS) on the skills I got preparing that summer.

“I love St. Louis! It was hot during the summer, but we had access to the pool on campus and it was nice to use when I wasn’t working. I went to see a show at the Muny, which was free, and I highly recommend anyone to go when they can. I made some very good friends with the girls in my cohort, and we even got to meet up again at the ABRCMS conference! We had some fun activities as a group, we painted ceramics we got to take home, we went bowling along with some of the other summer programs, and we even got to go to Six Flags together!

“Overall, I had a great time and have nothing but good things to say about how the program was run.”

Sabine Sullivan from Pleasant Hill, CA, and is currently studying at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN.

“I truly enjoyed participating in the SOAR program and spending the summer in St. Louis. The program was thoroughly organized, and the mentorship was absolutely amazing. I learned so many new lab techniques in a welcoming environment that encouraged questions—yes, even the ‘dumb’ ones! The hands-on experience was invaluable, and I gained confidence in designing experiments.

“It was particularly rewarding to integrate with the OGR group, which allowed me to connect with more students involved in research. This collaboration fostered a strong sense of community and facilitated engaging intellectual conversations. “A heartfelt thank you to my PI, Dr. Ben Humphreys, and Dr. Monica Chang-Panesso for providing such an incredible opportunity. This experience inspired me to pursue further opportunities in research.”

Grace Matsumoto is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is currently studying here at WashU.

“Participating in the SOAR program was an incredibly rewarding experience that significantly enhanced both my research skills and personal growth. It provided me with the opportunity to deepen my understanding of data analysis and bioinformatics while working closely with my PI, Dr. Monica Chang-Panesso, and my bench mentor Aidan Leckie-Harre. Their guidance and mentorship were invaluable in helping me become a more independent researcher.

“One of the highlights of the program was the chance to collaborate with such a talented and well-rounded group of student researchers. It was inspiring to work alongside peers who brought diverse perspectives, skills, and ideas to the table. Their passion and dedication pushed me to elevate my own work and broaden my approach to research.

“Through this program, I not only gained technical skills but also strengthened my ability to communicate my research effectively. With the support of my mentors, I had the opportunity to present my work at conferences outside of WashU.

“I am deeply grateful to both Dr. Chang-Panesso and Aidan, whose mentorship has been transformative. They consistently challenged me to push my boundaries, explore new methodologies, and broaden my skill set.

“I truly believe that the SOAR program is a fantastic opportunity for students interested in research, and I would highly encourage others to participate. This program supports students in developing both research and professional skills, making it a perfect platform for students to explore their academic interests and prepare for future careers in research and medicine.”